CHINA REPORT: E-COMMERCE & DIGITAL MARKETING Q1 OUTLOOK

THE MEGA GUIDE: CHINA E-COMMERCE AND DIGITAL MARKETING, Q1 2021

This 600+ pages report will give you a comprehensive overview of the major trends and happenings in China’s e-commerce and digital marketing in Q1 2021. Our ChoZan team has put together key information and data and interviewed over 50 China experts to give only the most up-to-date, actionable insights.

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WHAT'S INSIDE

  • An overview of China’s economic recovery and growth in Q1 2021
  • Economic trends in China in Q4 2020 and Q1 2021
  • The most important China consumer group insights for Gen Z, the silver-haired generation, powerful women and more
  • Key consumption trends in early 2021
  • E-commerce in 2021, the major players and changes you need to understand
  • Everything you need to know about China’s online shopping festivals in Q1 and Q2 2021
  • Major Chinese social media updates in 2020 
  • Your marketing calendar for Q1 2021
  • More than 50 top China experts’ opinions on the Chinese digital trends you need to pay attention to in Q1 2021
  • China market entry in 2021

ABOUT THE REPORT

The Mega Guide: China E-commerce and Digital Marketing Q1 2021 is ChoZan’s latest mega report in a series of quarterly, forward-looking reports about  ecommerce and digital marketing in China. 

2021 is expected to be one of the most promising years for China’s tech giants as many have recently announced their plans for upcoming IPOs. As a result, we expect that China’s digital economy will contribute even more to GDP growth in 2021. At the end of 2020, it was estimated at near 100 trillion RMB despite Covid-19. Although China shows positive economic recovery, the digital space will not stay the same as it’s being reshaped by new regulations and laws. To help companies navigate the fast-changing conditions of the China market, we’ve included new sections interviewing China experts about major China trends to pay attention to in 2021. We are excited to help western brands to succeed in China, contact us if you have any China related questions. 

Every day ChoZan’s China marketing experts collect information on consumer groups, their shopping behavior, preferences, demands and interests. Apart from an extensive overview of 9 major consumer groups our team also summarizes 9 China consumption trends for Q1 2021: The Sleep Economy, The Blind Box Second Wave, The Home Economy, Meal Replacements, The Health Conscious Economy, Guochao, The Pet Economy and Domestic Luxury Consumption. In this report you’ll find more about these trends and the following consumer groups:

  • Millennials
  • Gen Z
  • The Silver Haired Generation
  • Chinese Men 40+
  • Power Women
  • Super Moms and Dads
  • China’s Pet Lovers
  • Lower City Youth
  • Happy Singles

This mega report will also provide insights on four major e-commerce platforms – Taoba/Tmall, JD, Pinduoduo and Kuaishou. We also collect the latest numbers and insights on China’s biggest shopping festival, Double 11, and the most import holiday of the year, the Spring Festival. Livestreaming and gamification already went to the next level during Double 11 2020 with 3D views, virtual idols and cat care games.  We’re excited to see further development during Chinese New Year.

Following the huge trend of private traffic in China, ChoZan also reviewed functionality updates on major Chinese social media platforms:

To inspire your marketing strategy and campaigns, ChoZan not only prepared a Q1 marketing calendar, but added new sections about China market entry in 2021 and the most common mistakes. China Marketing expert Ashley Dudarenok talked to more than 50 China experts to get their opinion on what will be different in China in 2021 and what companies need to pay attention to. If you plan to enter China in 2021 or want to stay updated about major marketing and e-commerce trends, download ChoZan’s Mega Guide: China E-commerce and Digital Marketing Q1 2021 to get the latest knowledge. China Q4 E-commerce and Marketing Outlook is available here

CHINA Q1 2021 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Millennials enjoy luxury brands. Forecasts expect them to make up 40% of global luxury goods sales by 2024, with around 58% of that group aged 18 to 30.
  • There are 764 Taobao villages with a transaction volume of 50-100 million yuan and a total of 745 with a transaction value of more than 100 million yuan.
  • Right after the release of ‘Mini Shop’ on the WeChat platform, Youzan’s and Weimob’s stock fell 10% and 12% respectively.
  • As one of China’s most popular content distribution platforms, Toutiao is serving over 120 million daily active users (DAU) and 260 million monthly active users (MAU).
  • When it comes to the Bilibili platform, the proportion of users with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 10% higher than that of the whole network.
  • A majority of Douyin content creators are Gen Z (60%) and from lower-tiered cities (tier 4 or below – 44%).
 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ashley Dudarenok is a China marketing expert, serial entrepreneur, global keynote speaker, 3 time bestselling author, vlogger, podcaster, media contributor and female leadership spokesperson. She was recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Marketing in 2019 and chosen as an Asia Pacific Top 25 Innovator by the Holmes Report. She is the founder of China-focused social media agency Alarice and China insights and training company ChoZan. Ashley is an active supporter of women in leadership and business and is the creator of the self-development and mentorship program FIRE🔥.

Jacqueline Chan is Project Director at Alarice and ChoZan. She has hands-on experience in account management for big multinational brands from the FMCG, luxury and hospitality sector. She knows how to develop and execute in-depth digital marketing strategies on the most popular Chinese social media platforms, like WeChat and Weibo, and run creative campaigns on platforms such as DouyinREDZhihu and more.

Mason Ku is Marketing Director at Alarice and ChoZan. For the last 7 years at Alarice, Mason helped big corporate clients from all over the world to successfully enter China and effectively allocate marketing budgets for campaigns. His knowledge and expertise are highly beneficial for both B2C and B2B projects. Mason has hands-on experience in account management for brands from the following industries: FMCG, hospitality, finance and banking.

Wendy Chen is the Head of Digital Products at ChoZan. She’s one of the leading experts on KOL campaigns and China’s fan economy. As a marketing manager at Alarice, Wendy leads account management projects on niche social media platforms and helps brands to launch creative campaigns on Bilibili, REDDouyin and other Chinese social media platforms.

Natalia Drachuk is Marketing Director at Alarice and ChoZan. For the last 5 years at Alarice Natalia develops global marketing strategies and social media plans.

Maureen Lea is a writer, editor, copywriter and educator who has worked in many genres and formats from full length books on academic topics to short, fun rhymes. She specializes in research, finding patterns and making data understandable.

Ashley

Founder of ChoZan & Alarice

MASON

MASON

Project Director

Jacqueline

Project Director

NATALIA

NATALIA

Marketing Director

Maureen

Executive Editor

WENDY

Head of Digital Products

Stephanie

Graphic and Videography

Syca

Head of Research and Strategy

WHAT DO WE DO?

ChoZan’s training and resources will increase your expertise about the Chinese market, Chinese consumers, Chinese social media, KOL/influencer marketing and China’s technology landscape. This includes:

  • China market research and strategy development to help you identify your consumers and most effective ways to communicate with them.
  • Custom Corporate Training to increase your Chinese social media marketing expertise and get your team members up to a consistent skill level.
  • Expert Calls for your urgent China marketing questions.
  • ChoZan’s Online Course with 8 modules that you can take online to get a practical handle on China’s market, its modern consumers and Chinese social media marketing and selling. 
  • Keynote Speeches about modern Chinese consumers, Chinese social media marketing or China’s New Retail deliver in dynamic style.

The China Marketing Circle exclusive membership group for China watchers with weekly insights, trends, strategies and case studies related to consumers and marketing in China.

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    ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS

    Saw Gin Toh

    Head of Strategy Consulting for Dentsu Creative, China

    Michelle Lau

    Co-Managing Director of Alibaba Group France

    Aurelien Rigart

    Co-Founder and VP, IT Consultis

    Sally Maier-Yip

    Founder & Managing Director, 11K Consulting

    Folke Engholm

    CEO of Viral Access

    Chris Baker

    FOUNDER TOTEM MEDIA

    Tait Lawton

    Founder, Nanjing Marketing Group

    Michael Zakkour

    Founder – 5 New Digital and China BrightStar

    Mark Tanner

    Founder & Managing Director at China Skinny

    David Thomas

    China Expert and Author of China Bites

    Rachel Daydou

    Partner & China General Manager, Fabernovel

    David Gulasi

    CEO of davegulasi.com and China KOL

    Alberto Antinucci

    Digital Innovation Strategist and China Expert

    Kristina Koehler-Coluccia

    Head of Business Advisory at Woodburn Accountants & Advisors

    Miro Li

    Founder of Double V Consulting & CHINAble Academy

    Richie Yung

    Chairman The Asian General Chamber of New Retail (ANR)

    Josh Gardner

    CEO KUNG FU DATA

    Jerry Clode

    Founder, The Solution Consultancy

    Arnold Ma

    Founder and CEO, Qumin

    Martina Fuchs

    TV Anchor & Business Journalist

    Elena Gatti

    Managing Director Europe, Azoya

    Marcus Pentzek

    Chief SEO Consultant Searchmetrics Digital Strategies Group

    Pablo Mauron

    Partner & Managing Director China DLG (Digital Luxury Group)

    Olivia Plotnick

    WeChat and China Marketing Specialist

    Jimmy Robinson

    Co-Founder and Director, PingPong Digital

    Nishtha Mehta

    Founder of CollabCentral

    Pascal Coppens

    Partner at Nexxworks, author of China's New Normal

    Edward Tse

    Founder & CEO, Gao Feng Advisory Company

    Manya Koetse

    Founder and Editor-in-Chief of What's on Weibo

    Meha Verghese

    Growth and Innovation Lead, MediaCom China

    Shine Hu

    ChemLinked Market Research Analyst

    Jasmine Zhu

    Founder & Head of Brand of CI Brand Management

    Kejie Yi

    Content manager at China Marketing Insights

    Elijah Whaley

    Chief Marketing Officer PARKLU

    William August

    Founder, Outlandish Studio

    Artem Zhdanov

    Founder of LaowaiMe

    Michelle Castillo

    Director of Content and Insights

    Aaron Chang

    CEO and Founder, JING digital

    Thomas Graziani

    Co-founder, WalktheChat

    Michael Norris

    Research and Strategy Manager, AgencyChina

    Ella Kidron

    Global Corporate Affairs, JD

    Alex Duncan

    Co-founder of KAWO

    William Bao Bean

    General Partner SOSV MD Chinaccelerator and MOX

    Hendrik Laubscher

    Founder and Chief Analyst at Blue Cape Venture

    Matthieu David-Experton

    CEO and President at Daxue Consulting

    Ada Yang

    Head of Social Community, Pinduoduo

    EDOUARD DE MEZERAC

    Managing Partner Artefact, China and Asia

    Erwan Rambourg

    Author of Future Lux

    Tom Kruger

    VP, Strategy at ChatLabs

    Qimei Luo

    Livestreaming Industry Marketer and PR expert

    Ben Cavender

    Managing Director, China Market Research Group

    Jan Smejkal

    Founder, YCG&Co